Press Releases

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – The Fifth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference came to an end in Cancún, Mexico, September 14. However, the ‘endgame’ was not the result WTO members had hoped for. The Cancún summit closed with no consensus on key items on its agenda. Members failed to bridge their differences. Divisions amongst members proved too deep. “There were fundamental differences over key issues”. The Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, made these remarks, September 14, at the close of the Cancún summit.

Today the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Cancun, Mexico, at which all Caribbean Countries were present, ended without agreement on the many key issues. Billed as a Conference to advance the Doha Development Round of Trade Negotiations, the Conference collapsed on the key issues for developing countries such as agriculture, non-agricultural market access, small economies and special and differential treatment, as well as on the so-called Singapore issues – investment, government procurement, competition policy and trade facilitation measures.

Mr. Chairman
Honourable Minister
Chief Negotiator of the Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM)
Chief Technical Adviser of the RNM
Distinguished Delegates
Staff of the RNM and the Secretariat
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me to bid you all welcome to the Second Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development convened to deal with matters being handled by the RNM.

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – “The Caribbean is well prepared heading into Cancún”. The Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, made these remarks at the close of the Second Special Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on External Economic Negotiations, September 4. The Special COTED was convened in Georgetown, Guyana, September 3 to 4. It was chaired by Hon. Billie Miller, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados.

Export of sugar to Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago was the subject of separate and successful bilateral discussions between Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation of Guyana Clement Rohee and his counterparts from the two sister CARICOM countries, K.D Knight of Jamaica and Kenneth Valley of Trinidad and Tobago. These discussions took place during the just concluded Special meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which took place in Georgetown, Guyana, 1-4 September 2003.

In a brief ceremony held at the Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, last Thursday (4th September), the Secretary General of CARICOM, Mr. Edwin Carrington received on behalf of the people of the Community a Plaque to mark the distinction of co-operation between the Region, and Japan’s External Trade Organisation. (JETRO).

"I know we will die
    Our relevance will die
    If we do not move…..
    …beyond this step”
            - nala

SALUTATIONS

I came to talk of technology, and have brought none, because we still sit on the crossroads!

Change is nothing new. Advent of new technology only signaled yet another change through which our art and culture have further opportunity to grow, be promoted… and be traded. How do we manage the mighty continents of mind and memory to harness technology potential for arts and culture in the Caribbean?

Your Excellency the President of Suriname and Mrs Venetiaan-Vanenburg
The Vice-President of Suriname
Speaker of the National Assembly
Honourable Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Artists
Participants
Members of the Media 
Ladies and Gentlemen

Salutations_

The juncture of the celebration of CARIFESTA VIII here in Suriname, and the 30th Anniversary year of the Caribbean Community, is an ideal time for the CARICOM Secretariat and our private sector partner, TELESUR to join resources in exploring the rich potential of mind, technology and the impact on art and culture in the Caribbean. Certainly, there is no better time and no more suitable place for this event to be taking place.

Your Excellency the President of Suriname and Mrs Venetiaan-Vanenburg
The Vice-President of Suriname
Speaker of the National Assembly
Honourable Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Artists
Participants
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen